Damien Cursed

Can we call this performance art?

Dina, why haven’t you been posting? Where are the memes? Where are the sarcy news comments? Well, today marks 3 weeks until Frieze Week in London, which unfortunately means I’ve had to abandon any sense of calm or life without deadlines. My days are now filled with calls from sponsors, partners, and potential partners who’ve suddenly realised they have 3 weeks to make the most of a spotlight opportunity. Needless to say, the art world is not exactly known for its planning ahead. A big part of my job is programming events for our members, and to give you a taste, we’ve lined up a talk at a private members’ club, a sculpture garden opening, a breakfast with an artist, a cocktail reception, and a dinner at a collector’s home, all capped off with a sculpture park tour around Regent’s Park. Am I becoming a glorified event planner? Honestly, I wish! Because as the raunchy drinking game goes: “never have I ever” actually organised an event of this calibre before. As an apology for my silence, I’d love to invite any of you who’ll be in London on the 2nd of October to the Sculpture Garden opening, which Frieze 91 is supporting. Come have a cocktail and say hi!

If Monday evening was a sculpture:

If Monday was a sculpture:

My absolute favorite thing in the art space is when contemporary art meets classical architecture. Enter Lee Bul’s sculptures x Met Museum Facade. Lee Bul’s sculptures are recognized for their innovative use of materials such as fabric, metal, plastic, silicone, porcelain, and glass, often blending classical and futuristic elements, evoking human-like forms reminiscent of Cubist, Futurist, Greco-Roman, and Met collection influences. These hybrid sculptures reflect the complexities of the human condition, engaging with both history and present-day concerns about the future.

The Cursed Chronicles: Frieze Seoul Part 2 – yes, it’s finally here! Enough about the market! Enough about the sales! Let’s talk about the event itself. So, what’s the deal with VIPs at Frieze? To get into the VIP preview day, you need an invitation, which can come from Frieze itself (but the list is TIGHT), a gallery exhibiting at the fair, a corporate partner with passes, and so on. Contrary to popular belief, you can’t buy a ticket for the preview day – though you can always become a Frieze 91 member to get the same early access (WAIT, is this a shameless promo for Frieze 91? Yes, yes, it is – but the girl’s gotta eat, so sign up please, okay byeee). Back to Seoul though! The VIP Day started at 11 this year to give collectors more time to explore. I showed up a bit earlier to get a feel for the fair and, to my surprise, bumped into a crowd of bodyguards at the Chaumet sponsor booth. Turns out South Korea’s A-list – Nana, Song Hye-kyo, Joshua from Seventeen, and BABYMONSTER – were in the house. Don’t despair if, like me, you had no idea who these prominent names in the South Korean entertainment industry are. The one thing I can confirm is that the teenage crowd is obsessed with K-pop. Once word got out that these celebs were in attendance, about 40 teenagers with giant cameras camped outside our office for hours. So, what does all this have to do with Frieze? Well, the first preview day in Seoul felt like a major event. While London might be used to the annual Frieze frenzy, Seoul had a special buzz. People were excited and eager to get in, and not just the VIPs. The crowd was varied and inclusive, without being overwhelming. Two years ago, I went to the preview day in London, and it was f hectic – lots of influencers with phones out, people running into each other, luxury booze lounges packed to the brim. Enter Seoul: respectful, with a slower, more mindful pace (dare I say demure? Haha no, that’s very lame). I loved it. I enjoyed it. The fair buzzed with excitement and brought together a lively mix of local and international art lovers. It was great to see a diverse range of artists getting attention, from Korean stars like Haegue Yang to global names like Anicka Yi. The energy around the fair was fantastic, with lots of conversations and connections happening both at the fair and at other art events across the city. Overall, it’s clear that Seoul is becoming a key player on the global art stage.

Florals for spring? Groundbreaking

Follow the link and weep, and thank me later xoxo https://www.abunchofstuff.com PS WHY, JONNY, WHY